Vanguard answers to remain unbeaten

Top-ranked Lions overcome strong challenge by No. 6-ranked The Master’s and collect conference win Saturday.COSTA MESA -- The Vanguard University women’s basketball team’s air of invincibility received its most sustained attack Saturday night. But the unbeaten Lions, ranked No. 1 in NAIA Division I, showed they were up for the challenge.

The Master’s College, ranked No. 6, earned a brief lead midway through the first half and was within one point with 14:33 remaining.

But the Lions, playing for the third straight game without Coach Russ Davis (sidelined with back problems), pulled away for a 94-74 Golden State Athletic Conference triumph.

“I thought that was one of our better games,” said Lisa Faulkner, the Lions’ first-year assistant coach. Faulkner shared coaching duties with fellow assistant John Barney.

“I was anxious to see how we would respond against a team considered one of the best in our conference,” Faulkner said. “It was tough without Russ here, but we came out with the energy we needed and we came away with the victory.”

The Master’s (9-4, 1-3 in conference) also showed plenty of energy. The Mustangs, who hit 10 of 16 three-point tries, took a 22-21 lead with 9:57 left in the first half and upped it to 25-21 with a three-pointer 24 seconds later.

But Vanguard (12-0, 5-0) scored the next eight points on its way to a 15-3 run that created a 36-28 cushion.

The Mustangs opened the second half with an 8-2 run to close to within 47-46. But, after the two teams traded baskets, back-to-back three-pointers by Tiari Goold and Melissa Cook triggered a 12-0 Vanguard spurt and the Lions were off and running.

Vanguard All-American Kelly Schmidt scored 14 of her game-high 24 points in the first half and sophomore Jessica Richter had 14 of her 18 after intermission.

Schmidt, whose streak of three straight double-doubles was broken, made 9 of 11 field-goal attempts and was 6 of 7 from the foul line.

Junior Lacey Burns had 19 points, including four three-pointers and Cook finished with 15 points off the bench.

“Burns stepped up huge,” Faulkner said. “And Richter had a great second half.”

Goold, leading the NAIA in assists, had 14 as the Lions produced 30 assists to the Mustangs’ 13.

“We were looking forward to this game,” Burns said. “It’s not fun to be behind at all, but that was a good test for us. We pulled together and came out with the victory.”

The Master’s shot 51.9% from the field, but had 25 turnovers. Vanguard shot 54.7% from the field.

Golden State Athletic Conference

Vanguard 94, The Master’s 74

Score by Halves